[Hancle704]

More on the break-ins.

The person that sent it verified it with the Police Dept.


There is a band of burglers working in our area. They hit four houses in Virgina Trace alone on Friday evening. They work after dark--keep an eye out for cars and carts leaving the garage.
They go in through the lanai - if it's locked, they cut the screen and reach in. Then take a crowbar and pry open the slider. They even have a powerful magnet that if you have a metal bar to lock the slider, they can lift it. A wood dowel is good. The police have traced their path with bloodhounds - from the houses to the Virigina Trace gate. They were on foot. They are taking money and jewelry. These are professionals. You know how dark the backs of our houses are. They are working south of 466.

[villages07]

Originally Posted by Hancle704

They hit four houses in Virgina Trace alone on Friday evening.

Not that I doubt the veracity of whomever sent this email to Hancle....but,

Minty.... can you independently confirm that there were 4 robberies in Va Trace last Friday? The paper only mentioned the one that was described earlier in this thread. The paper did mention other incidents in other neighborhoods.

Just curious... because I have received at least 2 emails from other non TOTV people about recent burglaries in TV. Each message has different 'facts'.

[billethkid]

Just rec'd some new (I think) information about the rash of burglaries in The Villages -- latest one last night in Virginia Trace.

Be on the lookout for a younger-type woman walking in the streets talking on a phone - she is the accomplice to a male driving around in an old-type upholstery van -- panel type they think. Call 911 immediately if you see anything suspicious. Most incidents occur between 6:00 and 9:00 pm. Police advised to be very wary and alert -- put wooden dowels in the bottom of your sliding doors as an extra precaution - do not leave windows open -- leave lights on when not there or a radio/TV -- ask neighbors to watch your house if you are gone for a few hours -- hide your jewelry well - take pictures of expensive items -- lock your doors during the day even if you are there.

Because of the lousy economy, more and more bad people are going to be looking for an easy mark to hit and there are plenty of them here - don't be among the sorry few.

[graciegirl]

Billy, Is it a van from an upholstery business or is that a type of van, also called a panel van that you mentioned? We don't want to start rumors and my saying that could do just that. What is an upholstery van?

[billethkid]

to vehicles. The email was sent by a neighbor. My guess is what she is referring to is a van that has no windows. Some may have a couple of windows in the back doors only....and others will have no windows all around except for the windshield.

I would pay attention to all while out and about, but in particular those. Also, pay particular attention to anyone walking your property or your neighbors.

If in doubt call the police. In the current environment, the bigger net will involve innocents that will clear very quickly.

Diligence and common sense are the two most important ingredients.

BTK

Originally Posted by billethkid

to vehicles. The email was sent by a neighbor. My guess is what she is referring to is a van that has no windows. Some may have a couple of windows in the back doors only....and others will have no windows all around except for the windshield.

I would pay attention to all while out and about, but in particular those. Also, pay particular attention to anyone walking your property or your neighbors.

If in doubt call the police. In the current environment, the bigger net will involve innocents that will clear very quickly.

Diligence and common sense are the two most important ingredients.

BTK

...these burglars on TOTV as they could be reading TOTV too.

Billethkid offers sound advice about letting common sense guide you.

In addition, the LEOs (law enforcement officers) seem extremely good here in TV which the villages also has going for it when compared with a lot of other communities.
But, bad things still can happen here.

[billethkid]

looking/listening in.

So, just in case they are here is a tid bit to be appreciated. I have a concealed weapons permit and usually don't carry around the house....no need to....but while this burglar activity continues, I do so now. I also have friends who are ex law enforcement who do like wise for the very same reason.

We know exactly the letter of the concealed carry laws and under what circumstances we are allowed to do what.

As I have said in other posts....my property is "posted" with door stickers warning the property is protected by Smith & Wesson security systems.

BTK

[samhass]

Are you wearing a shoulder harness or the cute little leather magnetic holster that fits onto your pants waistband? That magnet is so strong you could use it to open doors!

[jtdraig]

Based on a neighbor's recommendatiion, we purchased and installed a couple of solar security lights and placed them strategically...won't deter a determined person perhaps but a little light showing on evil won't hurt...and then there is the dog in the house....

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by jtdraig

Based on a neighbor's recommendatiion, we purchased and installed a couple of solar security lights and placed them strategically...won't deter a determined person perhaps but a little light showing on evil won't hurt...and then there is the dog in the house....

We installed an outside motion activated solar spot light last year for use in taking our dogs out at night. But we now think this may make someone think twice if they were trying to break-in if all of a sudden lights start going on.

[CAL]

I just reported the following incident to the Sheriff's office. In the village of Mallory. Over the last 4 days a black cadillac with New Jersey plates driven by a woman stopped to ask directions. Very well spoken, very well dressed. Not a resident of our street nor is she renting anywhere. We live on a Cul De Sac, about 30 homes and know everyone. She has made it a point to stop the car and speak to different neighbors, sometimes asking for directions but has stopped twice while we were walking the dogs to say hello and comment on the dogs. We have seen this car come to the end of the Cul De Sac and turn around and leave the neighborhood. Could be nothing, Could be something. It does seems as if she is trying to make herself familiar with the neighborhood. One half of our street backs up to the Golf Course. If this is an inocent person then they have my apologies but if it is someone casing the neighborhood, hopefully we can catch them. We just need to keep our eyes open!

[villages07]

CAL,

Better to err on the side of too much caution... good for you.

Just curious.... are there any homes for sale on your block? Maybe she's "casing" the block to see if it is a friendly neighborhood in which she would want to purchase. I know if I was considering a resale I would ride through the neighborhood at various times of the day to check it out.

[CAL]

No homes for sale. I did take that into consideration.

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by billethkid

looking/listening in.

So, just in case they are here is a tid bit to be appreciated. I have a concealed weapons permit and usually don't carry around the house....no need to....but while this burglar activity continues, I do so now. I also have friends who are ex law enforcement who do like wise for the very same reason.

We know exactly the letter of the concealed carry laws and under what circumstances we are allowed to do what.

As I have said in other posts....my property is "posted" with door stickers warning the property is protected by Smith & Wesson security systems.

BTK

Six million people in the US have concealed carry permits. That is one peron in every fifty people (on average).

Practically all off-duty cops and many former cops are always armed.

I have a nephew who works for the Fish and Wildlife Dept who carries. I have another nephew whose wife carries (she's a state trooper). They are responsible, normal, harmless looking individuals and they take their weapons very seriously, but they are the last people in the world you would expect to be armed.

I'd be willing to wager that you were in the presence of someone who was carrying a concealed weapon today and didn't know it and wouldn't suspect it.

Personally, I do not own a handgun and therefore do not carry.

If I were those crooks, I'd be darn careful about breaking into houses in The Villages. Every house has at least one nine-iron!

Dirigo

[joannej]

Can someone tell me where to purchase a dowel?